Surgical apparatus for intestinal intubation



' Aug. 3, 1954 J. whpsvms', JR

SURGICAL APPARATUS FOR rums'rmm. INTUBATIbN Filed NOV. 3, 1952 I IIINVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 3, 1954 SURGICAL APPARATUS FORINTESTINAL INTUBATION John W. Devine, Jr., Lynchburg, Va.

Application November 3, 1952, Serial No. 318,450

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a surgical apparatus, and more specifically toan apparatus designed for use in intestinal intubation.

By way of explanation, it might be stated that in the application of theair vent tube commonly used in intestinal intubation, the flexible t pforming a part of the usual plastic tube, frequently takes a positionwithin the stomach, wherein it is extremely difficult with knownmethods, to properly direct the flexible tip into the duodenum.

It is therefore the primary object of the invention to provide anapparatus of this character wherein the movements of the flexible tip ofthe apparatus may be controlled by the person inserting the tube, to theend that the tip may be readily and accurately rotated to direct th tipand tube through the pylorus, into the duodenum, thereby reducing thetime required to prepare the patient for surgery, to the minimum.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a surgical apparatus, constructed inaccordance with the invention, as rolled into a coil.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the flexible tip of theapparatus and a section of the tube to which the tip is secured, theplug forming the essence of the invention being also illustrated.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the plug showing the wrench socket.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the wrench and flexible shaft to whichthe wrench is secured.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of th wrench.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the surgical apparatus constitutingthe subject matter of the present invention, comprises the tube 5 whichis formed with the flexible tip 6 which is curved as clearly shown bythe drawing, to facilitate the positioning of the tip when extending thetip and tube through the pylorus, into the duodenum.

Positioned within the inner end of the flexible tip 6 which is filledwith mercury to lend weight thereto, is the plug 1 which is providedwith the socket 8 extending inwardly from one end thereof, the walls ofthe socket being rectangular providing a wrench socket.

The reference character 9 indicates a flexible shaft which is of alength to extend throughout the length of the tube 5, there beingprovided the wrench H) on one end of the shaft 9, which wrench is of asize to closely fit within the socket 8 connecting the wrench and plug.

On one end of the flexible shaft 9 is the finger piece I I by means ofwhich rotation of the flexible shaft and wrench is effected.

The tube 5 is of the usual construction and is formed with a pluralityof small openings l2 for intestinal intubation.

From the foregoin it will be seen that due to the construction of theapparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention, theflexible shaft 9 may be inserted in the tube 5, so that the wrench ID onthe inner end of the flexible shaft will seat within the socket 8. Byturning the flexible shaft 9 within the tube, it is obvious that thecurved tip may .be moved or rotated to direct the tip through thepylorus, into the duodenum quickly, and with little effort on the partof the operator, thereby reducing the time required in preparing thepatient for surgery, to the minimum.

It is obvious that when the tip 6 has been properly positioned, theflexible shaft and its wrench may be withdrawn and the intestinalintubation treatment carried out.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An intestinal intubation apparatus, comprising a tube having openingsthrough the wall thereof, a curved tip disposed on the end of said tube,a plug disposed within the tube adjacent to the tip, a wrench embodyinga flexible shaft fitted in the tube, a wrench on one end of the flexibleshaft connected with said plug, said wrench effecting rotation of saidtip, directing said tube in its passage through the intestines.

2. An intestinal intubation apparatus, comprising a tube having openingsthrough the wall thereof, a curved tip disposed on one end of said tube,a plug disposed within the tube adjacent to the tip, said plug having awrench socket formed therein, a flexible shaft disposed in said tube, awrench on one end of the shaft seated in said wrench socket connectingthe wrench and plug, and a knob on one end of the flexible shaft foreffecting rotation of the shaft and tip directing said tube and its tipthrough the intestines.

3. An intestinal intubation apparatus comprising a flexible tube, acurved tip secured on one end of the flexible tube, a wrench embodying aflexible shaft, disposed in said tube, a wrench on one end of saidflexible shaft, a socket member disposed within the curved tip to whichsaid wrench is connected, a finger piece on one end of the flexibleshaft for effecting rotation of said shaft and wrench, turning saidcurved tip guiding said tip in its passage through the intestines.

4. An intestinal intubation apparatus, comprising a flexible tube, acurved weighted tip secured on one end of the tube, a plug disposedwithin the tip spaced a substantial distance from the outer end of thetip, a wrench embodying a flexible shaft removably held within the tubeengageable with said plug effectmg rotation of the plug and tip inguiding the tip and tube to a predetermined position Within theintestines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,736,182 Wilkins Nov. 19, 1929 2,118,631 Wappler May 24, 19382,498,692 Mains Feb. 28, 1950

